Non-Profit Eid Holiday Coalition to Host Virtual Meet and Greet With Disney’s ‘American Eid’ Director Aqsa Altaf

The Eid Holiday Coalition will host a meet & greet with Aqsa Altaf, the director of Disney’s “American Eid” today.

“American Eid” is a short film about Ameena, a Muslim Pakistani immigrant, who finds out that she has to go to school on Eid because it is not recognized as a public holiday. The film follows her journey as she sets out to get Eid recognized as a public holiday, while overcoming homesickness and embracing change.

Director Aqsa Altaf said that the film was based on her own experiences as an immigrant.

“I immigrated here when I was around 22, and I immigrated alone without my family,” she said. “So every Eid that came along every year, I couldn't go back home because I didn’t get days off for it. And I just felt so alone because nobody around me even knew what it was.”

The Eid Holiday Coalition focuses on providing resources to communities to help them petition for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to be recognized as holidays in their school districts. With a local chapter in Long Island, N.Y., the organization works on a national level to provide guidance to parents to work with school boards to get Eid holidays recognized. So far, Eid Coalition has gained approval from over three dozen school districts.

Pictured: Dr. Uzma SyedDr. Uzma Syed, president of Eid Holiday Coalition, said that the film was a portrayal of a very real conflict that American Muslim students face at school.

“This film showcases the struggles that so many American Muslims face balancing faith and community. It highlights the sacrifices that American Muslim students, who are a minority, have to make when living in western society,” she said.

The Eid Holiday Coalition has helped dozens of school districts across the country formally recognize Eid holidays.

Syed also praised Disney’s efforts to be more inclusive.

“I think it’s amazing that a giant such as Disney would promote this message of diversity and inclusion with their mainstream audiences. This film will educate people and provide the path to open dialogue.”

To attend the event at 6:30 (CST), register in advance here.